Augusta University baseball preparing for 2023 season, host Erskine in friendly
Shelbie Summerlin | Sports writer
The 2023 season is near for the Augusta University baseball team, and the players are excited to start competitive play.
Returning seniors Britt Kelly, Brian Trepanier, Kyle LaRoche and newcomer (sophomore) Jo Saccente, discussed how last fall was essential for team building and what they’re looking forward to this upcoming season.
LaRoche, a catcher from Brunswick, says this season is special and credits that to the team dynamic as the Jaguars prepare for the opener at West Georgia on Feb. 3.
“There’s a lot more momentum,” said LaRoche. “There seems like there’s actually a plan for what we’re trying to do. The team’s way more connected, so it’s been a lot more fun this year.”
Kelly, a left-handed pitcher from Roswell, explained that this year’s team is different because “they want to be here,” he said.
“People enjoy being around each other,” said Kelly. “People actually look forward to coming to the field every day and getting in work and trying to help each other out as much as we can.”
Trepanier, a right-handed pitcher, added: “Everyone’s got each other’s back, and they want to be better for the team.”
The bond that being a part of a team creates is unbreakable, and for Saccente that bond showed up a lot last fall.
“If anyone was down on themselves, wasn’t playing well, there were people that backed them up and helped them when they were down,” said Saccente. “It just shows a lot of brotherhood and friendship that goes along with being on a baseball team.”
The team worked out and played a series of exhibitions in the fall.
“Our chemistry really came together at the end of the fall, and we really trust each other a lot,” Kelly said.
Team camaraderie is “something that can’t be measured,” according to LaRoche.
“If you’re not a part of it, you don’t really understand it. But it’s vitally important to a team and its success,” said LaRoche. “As a team, you can accomplish so much more than any individual can, so it’s really important for everyone to be connected.”
Kelly says the Jaguars have several capable leaders.
“We have a bunch of guys that lead by example and wanna do things the right way,” Kelly said. “We can all trust each other and that comes from the team’s camaraderie.”
After a 14-34 campaign last spring, the players agreed that last fall’s performance was motivating going into this spring.
Trepanier, from Columbus, said: “I feel like we’re making the right moves in the right direction to turn this place around.”
LaRoche says the biggest difference between last year and this year is the response to failure.
“This year there is more accountability and self-awareness of how we can get better from those struggles,” he said.
Saccente, an outfielder from West Islip, N.Y., is most excited to make good memories with teammates and see new places since he’s not from this area.
“I would love to see and travel throughout all of Georgia, see all the cool schools, and hopefully compete at a high level while having fun at it because you can only play this game for a certain amount of time in your life so make the most of it while you can,” he said.
LaRoche is anticipating the new season.
“I’m really excited to see what we can do,” he said. “I think we have a really good group so it’ll be fun to go out there with the guys that you love and win some games,” while Trepanier is looking forward “to see what’s gonna happen with the team.”
Kelly knows that the preseason practice, conditioning and scrimmages are necessary, but it’s time for the season’s first pitch in a live game.
“I’m ready to play some baseball,” he said.
The Jaguars will host a 12-inning friendly with Erskine on Saturday, Jan. 27. First pitch of the opener is at noon at the AU baseball field next to Christenberry Fieldhouse. The two teams will play a regular-season game in AU’s home-opening game on Feb. 8 at 2 p.m.
Contact Shelbie Summerlin at SSUMMERLIN@augusta.edu.
Sophomore Joe Saccente gets in batting practice for the Jaguars. At the top of the page, senior right-hander Brian Trepanier works on the mound as AU prepares for its Feb. 3 season-opener at West Georgia. (photos by Shelbie Summerlin)
